We keep listening to a word called “Veto Power” and India is continuously approaching the United Nations to get Veto Power. But here the question is why India is trying to get Veto Power. Why is it so important for any country? Apart from India, what are the other countries approaching for Veto Power? How any country can get veto power?

In this post, we are going to learn several facts related to Veto Power and here is the list of agenda of this post.

What is the meaning of Veto Power?

The word “Veto Power” derived from the Latin word which means “I forbid”. There are 15 members in the UNSC and among 15, 5 are permanent while remaining 10 are non-permanent members. A veto is a special power given to the 5 permanent members (China, France Russia, United Kingdom & United States) and this power becomes very crucial while passing any law in the security council.

What is the history of the UN Security Council?

After the 1st world war, the entire world had seen the devastation and to stop such wars in the future, the entire world was trying to find the solutions. Following the catastrophic loss of life in world war-1, league of nations had been established to maintain the peace & the harmony in the world. In spite of making several attempts, they were unable to stop the 2nd world war. Following the 2nd world war, the existence of the UN security council came into power. It was officially established on 24 Oct 1945. It is one of the organs of the united nation & the main purpose of the council is to maintain international peace & security. It is also called the policeman of the world.

Apart from this, the UN charter maintains several other functioning and these are as follows:

1. to maintain international peace and security;

2. to develop friendly relations among nations;

3. to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights;

The veto power is the most significant difference between the permanent and non-permanent member of the UNSC. There are 5 permanent member and all those members of UNSC have Veto Power. Those 5 countries are China, France Russia, United Kingdom & United States. Russia has used Veto Power the most followed by USA, United Kingdom, France and then China. China recently used this power to stop the addition of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

Whenever a proposal sends to the UNSC, it is reviewed by the member countries. As mentioned above there are 15 countries and among 15, five are permanent members who have veto power. In order to pass any proposal, 2/3rd of the votes requires and it is mandatory that all the permanent members must vote in favor of that proposal. Any permanent members can use the Veto Power to stop the proceedings against any proposal.

How any country can get a permanent seat in UNSC?

The first thing required to add more countries in the UN security council is to alter & expand the number of seats of the UN. It will be done only when the amendment supports by 2/3rd members of the UN General assembly and 5 permanent members do not veto the resolution. Once the resolution passes, voting could be initiated for the members to apply for the permanent seat and they will have to gain 2/3rd of the majority in the UN general assembly with full-time members do no use the veto powers against them.

What are the countries approaching the permanent seat?

There are 4 countries i.e. Brazil, Japan, Germany & India looking to get a seat of a permanent member in the United Nations Security Council. These countries are also the members of G4 nations and they mutually agreed and support one another to get a permanent seat.

Will India get a permanent seat in UNSC?

India is likely to get a permanent seat in the near future. There are several factors supporting this fact. We have listed a few of them below:

1. All the permanent members are in the support of India except China through China has not opposed the same openly.

2. It is the third-largest contributor in the troops of US Peace-making.

3. India has one of the powerful militaries across the world.

4. India has created an image of a peaceful country in the world.

5. It has been elected in UNSC seven times and it is the world’s largest democracy.